Impact and Learning
At FamilyKind, we believe families should not have to navigate complex systems alone.
Through our SEND Outreach Programme, we are continually listening, learning and adapting our work based on what families tell us. This page shares the impact of our work so far, alongside the lessons we are learning from families navigating SEND systems across Wigan.
The Difference We Are Making
Simply SEND Pilot Results
The Simply SEND pilot was developed in response to what local families told us they needed: clear information, practical guidance and someone who genuinely understood the challenges of navigating SEND systems.
The results from our first pilot demonstrate the value of accessible, community based support. Families reported increased confidence, greater understanding of available support and a stronger ability to advocate for their children. Most importantly, parents and carers consistently described feeling listened to, understood and less alone in their journey.
Real Stories Behind The Numbers
Behind every percentage is a family who felt more confident, informed and supported. The feedback below provides insight into the difference Simply SEND made to parents and carers navigating complex SEND systems.
What Families Told Us They Valued Most
💙 Feeling listened to and understood
🧭 Clear guidance and next steps
📋 Understanding SEND processes
🤝 Emotional reassurance
📢 Confidence to advocate
Families consistently highlighted that Simply SEND offered more than information. Parents valued having somebody who understood both the practical realities of SEND systems and the emotional impact they can have on family life.
What We Learned
The pilot reinforced several important lessons about supporting families of children and young people with SEND.
Key Learning from the Pilot
- Demand for early SEND support is significant.
- Families often seek help long before they meet thresholds for statutory services.
- Information alone is not enough. Families need support to understand and apply it.
- Parents value trusted relationships as much as practical guidance.
- Community based SEND support can prevent issues escalating into crisis.
Families value relationships as much as information. While practical guidance was important, parents consistently highlighted the impact of feeling listened to, understood and believed. Many described Simply SEND as the first time they had spoken to somebody who genuinely understood both the SEND system and the emotional reality of navigating it.
We also learned that support is most effective when it is flexible and responsive. Families accessed support at different stages of their journey, from early concerns through to EHCP processes and preparation for assessments. A personalised approach enabled support to be tailored to each family's circumstances and priorities.
Perhaps most significantly, the pilot demonstrated that early intervention matters. Many parents reported that receiving support sooner helped reduce anxiety, increased confidence and prevented challenges from escalating.
Why This Matters
The findings from the Simply SEND pilot closely reflect the experiences identified through FamilyKind's Wigan Parent and Carer Listening Questionnaire. Families repeatedly told us that they feel lost in systems, unsupported and unsure where to turn for help. They described spending significant time navigating processes, coordinating communication between professionals and questioning whether their concerns were serious enough to seek support.
The pilot demonstrates that relatively small amounts of early, personalised support can make a significant difference. When families have access to clear information, practical guidance and somebody who understands the system, they feel more confident, more informed and better able to advocate for their children.
Importantly, the results suggest that many of the challenges families face are not caused by a lack of services alone. They are often caused by difficulties understanding, accessing and navigating those services. Simply SEND helps bridge that gap, ensuring families can access the right support at the right time.
Looking Ahead
The success of the pilot has strengthened our belief that accessible, community based SEND support has an important role to play within Wigan's wider support landscape.
FamilyKind is now seeking funding to expand the SEND Outreach Programme, enabling more families to access:
- Simply SEND one to one support
- The Unfiltered Parent Circle peer support sessions
- Information and guidance workshops
- Community outreach and awareness activity
- Earlier intervention for families who may not yet meet statutory thresholds
Our vision is simple: that no family should have to navigate the SEND journey alone.
By investing in early, relationship based support, we can help families access information sooner, build confidence, reduce isolation and ensure children and young people receive the support they need before difficulties reach crisis point.